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Thread: Project suggestions?

  1. #1
    DaleB's Avatar
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    Project suggestions?

    I'm thinking of building something out of wood. I have an RV-12, so this would be used on nice days for local low & slow cruising around, maybe an occasional burger or pancake run. I'm not interested in an ultralight, I'd like to be able to take my grandkids, wife or a Young Eagle passenger along. So far I'm looking at the Fisher Celebrity, but wondering if I have missed anything.


    • Needs to be within LSA weight and performance parameters.
    • Needs to be able to carry a large pilot (5-11/250) and adult passenger.
    • I would prefer all wood construction.
    • I'd prefer a biplane with a classic or WWI appearance. Open cockpit is fine - preferable, in fact. Almost required. Not really interested in a Cub/Champ type. I'm not ruling out parasols.
    • Does not need to be aerobatic... though it wouldn't hurt.
    • Needs to be able to use a reliable engine that's obtainable and not a $30K radial. O-200, C65, VW, etc.
    • I would prefer something with a kit available, but plans building is not out of the question.


    I know this seems like a tall order. I looked at the Airdrome WWI replicas and like them, but they're all either one-holers or have tiny little side by side cockpits. And I'm really liking the idea of a wood construction project. I've looked at a ton of other designs that either lack the useful load, are configured like a Cub/Champ, or are not even close to being LSA. The Celebrity is so far the only one I've found that meets my requirements, but I'm open to suggestions.

  2. #2
    Gunslinger37's Avatar
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    Look at the Pietenpol. Your size might require the Bill Rewey 1.1 size (10% bigger). Aircraft Spruce sells the kits.

    https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...pol-air-camper

  3. #3
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    You've got the right company but your criteria would suggest the Tiger Moth instead.

  4. #4
    DaleB's Avatar
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    I thought about the Tiger Moth also, but talked with the guy from FFP at Airventure -- he said the Celebrity was a far better choice. Said the Tiger Moth wouldn't have the load and CG range required.

  5. #5
    bigdog's Avatar
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    I'm a big guy and have considered the Pober Junior Ace as a low & slow. There's always a one at the Oshkosh workshops and I stop by to look. It's a 2 place side-by-side parasol. Looks like it would fit and be fun.
    Regards,
    Greg Young
    1950 Navion N5221K
    RV-6 N6GY - first flight 5/16/2021
    1940 Rearwin Cloudster in work
    4 L-2 projects on deck

  6. #6
    DaleB's Avatar
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    Well, after some pretty extensive searching I'm leaning even more toward the Celebrity. It's got two seats so i can take the grandkids up. It's all wood, which is good since I already know how to use a saw and glue. It's got a reasonable useful load, and uses a reasonably available engine.

    Has anyone here built one? I've got some questions I'd like to ask of someone who has actually built a Celebrity, not the guy selling them.
    Measure twice, cut once...
    scratch head, shrug, shim to fit.

    Flying an RV-12. I am building a Fisher Celebrity, slowly.

  7. #7
    DaleB's Avatar
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    Plans on the way... work bench getting cleared off... band & table saws tuned up and cleaned... making room for wood storage. This should be fun.
    Measure twice, cut once...
    scratch head, shrug, shim to fit.

    Flying an RV-12. I am building a Fisher Celebrity, slowly.

  8. #8
    Joda's Avatar
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    How about a Bi-Baby (the biplane version of the Bowers Fly Baby)? Here's a link to some info:

    http://www.bowersflybaby.com/pix/biplane.html
    Cheers!

    Joe

  9. #9
    DaleB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WacoJoe View Post
    How about a Bi-Baby (the biplane version of the Bowers Fly Baby)? Here's a link to some info:

    http://www.bowersflybaby.com/pix/biplane.html
    Tempting, but only one seat.
    Measure twice, cut once...
    scratch head, shrug, shim to fit.

    Flying an RV-12. I am building a Fisher Celebrity, slowly.

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